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Written question asked by Margaret Ferrier (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 18 June 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 June 2015 (named day). It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 June 2015 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Medical Treatments Abroad: Europe

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to raise awareness among people travelling within European Economic Area countries in order to ensure all such travellers hold an EHIC card.

Answer

The Department has taken a series of ongoing steps to raise awareness among travellers in the European Economic Area (EEA) about the importance of carrying with them both a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and a valid travel insurance policy to cover private medical care or other additional costs.

The Department works closely with the Foreign Office to ensure key messages get onto social media platforms targeting customers in the United Kingdom looking to travel.

In conjunction with the Foreign Office, campaigns have also been carried out within Europe to target holiday makers already abroad, especially Spain where approximately 12 million British nationals visit each year.

Videos to raise awareness on the EHIC have been created by the Department and the European Commission and distributed on websites such as the Post Office, gov.uk and YouTube.

In addition, we have and will again encourage students coming from EEA countries for the new academic year to bring their EHIC with them, and use it when accessing NHS health care.

There is also extensive information on the NHS Choices website about the EHIC scheme.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
3068
Session
2015-16
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Europe Medical treatments abroad
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk